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Military looks to guard satellites from 'natural and artificial threats'

by The Canadian Press

Posted Jul 12, 2019 11:49 am PDT

This image from video released by the U.S. Air Force shows the launch of a SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket carrying the Canada's Radarsat Constellation Mission (RCM) from Space Launch Complex-4 in Vandenberg Air Force Base, Calif., Wednesday, June 12, 2019. The federal government is looking to protect satellites from natural and artificial threats, according to a new tender issued Friday. THE CANADIAN PRESS/AP-Airman 1st Class Daniel Myles/30th Space Wing Public Affairs/U.S. Air Force via AP

OTTAWA — The Canadian government is looking for new ideas and technology to protect satellites from natural and artificial threats, according to a tender issued Friday.

Satellites are vulnerable to everything from space debris and solar weather to cyberattacks and lasers, the tender says.

The request, titled “Shields up!”, calls for submissions of concepts, designs and prototypes to cover the range of threats.

It notes several contracts could arise from the request for proposals, and the maximum single-contract funding is up to $200,000.

The tender says space is becoming increasingly contested and the government must be able to defend Canadian satellites.

The request for proposal was put out by the Innovation for Defence Excellence and Security Program, part of the Department of National Defence.